Tempo: Op. 32 Prelude

[chidi]

Hello all,

I've been working on the no. 12 of this work and even though I believe it is fine I still want to get some comments regarding the tempo I'm playing a certain section at. Whenever I try to play this any faster, I tend to miss the descending bass notes at the end of each measure, but that can be improved through practice.

I've recorded myself playing this section and have it as an attachment.

Here's the section:



Thanks

-Chidi

[amelialw]

i'm learning this Prelude too, but i'm practically done already. You should just work on the last beat of each bar connecting the the 1st beat of the next bar. My teacher told me to do that and it really helps because the notes have to be played to fast you don't have much time to think and you just have to know your L.H really well.

[chidi]

Well, I can easily practice the last beats of each bar, but I find a bit more different making the transitions to playing the last beats. From your comment you are suggesting I play it faster?

Anyway, it shouldn't even be a challenge. Though I'm still open for more comments.

-Chidi

[amelialw]

no, I did'nt suggest you play it faster. You said you tend to miss the descending bass notes at the end of each measure so you should practise the L.H alone till you are confident that you know your notes well and you won't miss any notes.

[chidi]

Okay, well is the tempo from the recording fine because, as as I implied earlier, I don't make mistakes while at that speed.

-Chidi

[amelialw]

so practise the L.H seperately faster...

[chidi]

Okay.... I'll just wait for other comments. Thanks anyway.

-Chidi

[furtwaengler]

What fingering are you using on the last beats? If it's one rotation at the stretch of the hand, I'm not sure that's practical. If you switch to the thumb midway through (1,3,1,5 on the first, for example), I don't think it will destroy the slur, and it appears much easier. Just me cents two.

[jlh]

What fingering are you using on the last beats? If it's one rotation at the stretch of the hand, I'm not sure that's practical. If you switch to the thumb midway through (1,3,1,5 on the first, for example), I don't think it will destroy the slur, and it appears much easier. Just me cents two.

I wouldn't advise that.  Doing that takes your LH thumb away from where it's going and it will be more difficult to connect with the first beats.  Plus it seems like doing that would make note memorization more difficult as well.

As amelialw said, the most important parts of this section are the 1st and 4th beats.  I know you were just making a recording to demonstrate tempo, but I would advise that after the first beats, cut the dynamic down and give it a nice cresc as marked.  Also, the LH has a beautiful descending chromatic melody going on, so think about connecting that melody and the rest might become easier.  Eventually it should move a bit more, but work on solidifying it first.

[jlh]

You may have also learned a wrong note, so check that too while you're at it...

First measure, 4th beat, LH... the F is still double sharped. 

[chidi]

I wouldn't advise that.  Doing that takes your LH thumb away from where it's going and it will be more difficult to connect with the first beats.  Plus it seems like doing that would make note memorization more difficult as well.

As amelialw said, the most important parts of this section are the 1st and 4th beats.  I know you were just making a recording to demonstrate tempo, but I would advise that after the first beats, cut the dynamic down and give it a nice cresc as marked.  Also, the LH has a beautiful descending chromatic melody going on, so think about connecting that melody and the rest might become easier.  Eventually it should move a bit more, but work on solidifying it first.

Alright, thank you. I'm also assuming that the tempo is fine. I'll just have to be patient solidifying process. Also, can you explain what you mean by "connecting [the] melody" of the descending chromatic melody? Is it too blurred out?

[chidi]

You may have also learned a wrong note, so check that too while you're at it...

First measure, 4th beat, LH... the F is still double sharped. 

Ah yes, thank you. That fits much better with the rest of the descending chromatic chords. I also notice a little stumble on the right hand. The things you hear when you actually listen to your recording. 

[chidi]

What fingering are you using on the last beats? If it's one rotation at the stretch of the hand, I'm not sure that's practical. If you switch to the thumb midway through (1,3,1,5 on the first, for example), I don't think it will destroy the slur, and it appears much easier. Just me cents two.

That definitely will create worst challenges, especially entering the next bars as Jlh pointed out. Thanks for the suggestion though.

-Chidi

[furtwaengler]

What fingering are you using on the last beats? If it's one rotation at the stretch of the hand, I'm not sure that's practical. If you switch to the thumb midway through (1,3,1,5 on the first, for example), I don't think it will destroy the slur, and it appears much easier. Just me cents two.

I wouldn't advise that.  Doing that takes your LH thumb away from where it's going and it will be more difficult to connect with the first beats.  Plus it seems like doing that would make note memorization more difficult as well.

I suppose it's an individual thing. If the problem is the last note, then breaking this up in something like the above fingering offers a great improvement with accuracy at no expense to the first beat. Of course, only the first two measures would need this sort of treatment. Memorization, again would be an individual thing. My only concern with it would be the slur.

[jlh]

Alright, thank you. I'm also assuming that the tempo is fine. I'll just have to be patient solidifying process. Also, can you explain what you mean by "connecting [the] melody" of the descending chromatic melody? Is it too blurred out?

I just mean that with Rach, you always need to look for the inner melodies, and bring them out.  The tempo is on the slow side, but fine if you're still learning it.

[chidi]

I just mean that with Rach, you always need to look for the inner melodies, and bring them out.  The tempo is on the slow side, but fine if you're still learning it.

That's very true, though doing so can be a challenge since there isn't much of an ease in hitting the first bass chords of each bar. At least for me it might be. However, I will give that a try.

-Chidi

[jlh]

The pedal can be your friend... if you're careful.